hester



Patented Oct. ll, I898. B. H. HESTEB.

GATE.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

W/TNESSES X01 Patented Oct. ll, I898. B. H. HESTER.

G A T E (Application filed Oct. 26, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES ATfOH/VEYS ms PE'ERS ro wmmumav wnsumc'rou. n. c.

FFICE.

BENJAMIN I-IARTIVELL I-IESTER, OF MCALESTER, INDIAN TERRITORY.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,039, dated October11, 1898. Application filed October 26, 1897. Serial No. 656,443. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN I-IARTWELL HESTER, residing at McAlester,Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, have; invented a new and usefulImprovement in Gates, of which the followingis a full,clear, andexactdescription.

This invention is an improvement in gates, and has for an object toprovide a simple construction by which the gate may be automaticallyoperated by the party riding or driving toward and from such gate; andthe invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinationsof parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my gate. Fig. 2 is afront view of the gate, and Figs. 3 and tare detail views.

The gate A is suspended between the posts B by means of the stub-shaftsC, which journal in the posts B, one of such shafts being provided witha drum D, supporting the Weight E, and which drumv is clutched to itsshaft preferably by means of the pawl F, engaging at F with a notch orshoulder O on the shaft 0. This drum is operated by the weight E, whosesuspending-cord E is connected with the drum, and the weight when rundown is readjusted or wound by means of the tripping-levers G, whichhave crank-arms G and G the former being arranged for operation by thewheel of the vehicle and the latter being connected by cord or otherconnection G with the drum to turn the same properly to wind the weightup. Where desired,these tripping-levers G may be provided on oppositesides of the gate, so that the weight may be wound by the approachingand departing vehicle; but ordinarily it is only necessary to providethe lever Gon one side of the gate.

It will be noticed that the gate swings vertically between the posts B,and to stop it at different points I provide a detent, which consists inthe construction shown of a springactuated bolt H, which is normallypressed upward in position to be engaged by projections on the gate andholds such gate from being turned by the stress of the weight E actingupon the drum, which is clutched to the shaft (3, as before described.In connection with this detent I provide tripping devices,

whereby it may be operated to release the gate, so that the latter maybeturned one step by the weight. These tripping devices may be thecrank-levers I and I, connected with the bolt, as shown, and arrangedfor operation by the wheels of a vehicle, or they may be pull-rods J formanipulation by a horseback-rider, or they may be of other desiredconstruction. This detent locks the gate from movement in one direction,and it is held from movement in the opposite direction byaswinginglatchK, which opens freely' toward the detent to permit the projections ofthe gate to swing to and against said detents, but is held from movementin the op I posite direction. This construction prevents the gate frombeing opened by the pressure of stock on either side.

WVhere a light weight is used, it is ordinarily sufficient to providethe projections II above and below the shaft 0 on the side bar of thegate, as the weight will turn the gate so slowly that both wheels willpass over the detent-tripping lever before the gate has swung to fullopen position; but when a heavy weight is employed the gate will beoperated so quickly that intermediate projections H are necessary, andthese I furnish when needed on a cross bar or arm H set at right anglesto the side bar of the gate, as shown.

Now in operation when the gate is supplied with thefour stop projectionsif a vehicle approaches from one direction its front wheel will operatethe lever I, release the detent momentarily, and the gate will swing onestep, bringing the following projection H into contact with the detent,which will then be released by the hind wheel of the vehicle and thegate will be opened. These operations of the tripping-lever and theresulting opening of the gate will lower the weight E, which will berewound by thepressure of the vehicle on the lever G, and such vehiclemay pass through the gate. As it moves off from the gate its wheels byproper contact with the tripping-lever I will actuate the detentbolttwice, and the weight will tend to readjust the gate to its closedposition. It should be understood that the gate is nicely balanced bythe weights M, which may be metallic, as shown, or, where desired,ornamental boxes filled with stone may be employed. By thus balancingthe gate I avoid the necessity of a very heavy weight E, as the gateswings easily, and the weight E is only required to overcome friction inturning the gate.

13y suspending the gate at both sides there is no danger of its sagging,and its motions from time to time prevent the accumulation below it ofany obstructions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination in a gate of the upright posts, the gate having atits sides uprights pivoted to said posts, means for turning the gate, adetent for controlling the movements of the gate and a series ofprojections on the gate arranged in a circle and adapted for successiveengagement by the detent as the gate is moved a part of a revolutionsubstantially as set forth.

2. The herein-described improvements in gates consisting of the gateproper provided with shafts, the posts in which said shafts arejournaled, the detent-bolt arranged to control the movements of thegate, tripping devices for releasing said detent, a drum on one of theshafts of the gate, a pawl on said drum and engaging with said shaft, aweight for turning said drum and means for readjusting or winding saidgate, substantially as described.

The combination of the upright posts, the gate having at its sidesuprights and provided with horizontal shafts jonrnaled in the posts, thedetent controlling the movements of the gate, the weight acting upon thegate to revolve the same, means for readjusting the weight independentof the movement of the gate, devices controlling the operation of saidweight to turn the gate, and tripping mechanism for releasing saiddevices substantially as descrlbed.

4. The combination substantially as described of the upright posts orsupports, the

suspended gate having horizontal pivots whereby it may swing in avertical plane, a drum on one of its pivot-shafts, clutch devices forconnecting the drum with the said shaft, the weight suspended from thedrum, the devices for rewinding said weight, detent devices, andtripping devices for releasing the detent whereby to permit theoperation of the gate by the weight substantially as described.

5. The gate substantially as described comprising the posts or supports,the gate having horizontal pivots in said posts or supports one of suchpivots being a shaft fixed to the gate, a drum on said shaft, a clutchconnection between the shaft and drum, a weight acting on the drum, atripping-lever connected with the drum whereby to turn the same to windup the weight, the detent and tripping devices by which to release thedetent substantially as described.

6. The improvement herein described comprising the gate havinghorizontal pivots and provided at one side with an extension beyond saidpivot in the plane of the gate and with opposite extensions at rightangles to the plane of the gate, a detent engaging cooperating parts 011the gate, the extension, and the arms, devices for releasing the detent,and means for revolving the gate when the detent is released.

BENJAMIN IIARTWELL ESTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. SITTEL, DUNCAN M. MAcPIIIE.

